VIMS Websites A-Z

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Research & ServicesThe Virginia Institute of Marine Science is mandated by the Commonwealth of Virginia to conduct research and provide sound scientific advice concerning the often-contentious issues surrounding use and conservation of marine resources.

ResourcesVIMS provides on-line access to a wealth of scientific data, computer models, and literature sources. On-line data include time-series measurements of the salinity, temperature, and quality of Chesapeake Bay waters; as well as weather records from a meteorological station at the VIMS main campus. Also available are data concerning the Chesapeake Bay's living resources, including a juvenile fish index, digital maps of submerged aquatic vegetation, and a Comprehensive Coastal Inventory for wetlands, shoreline, and associated natural and cultural resources in the coastal plain.

Risk AssessmentRisk assessment is the process by which the probability or likelihood of some adverse effect of a contaminant to humans or the environment is estimated. Currently, considerable effort is focused on this topic because assessment of contaminant-associated risk is mandated in key federal laws including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).

Research

The recovery and growth of the East Coast scallop fishery is due to a long-term collaboration between scallopers, fishery managers, and scientists at VIMS. More...